A tree...or maybe not a tree, really its far from being a tree. The leaves were red. But, it was simply not just a color, they were red cause they consumed blood of a living.
The tree was silent, it was as though a predator was waitng for it's prey. It has just digested a human.
Suddenly, the sound of someone's footsteps stepping on branches could be heard. Someone was approaching the damn tree.
Then, small balls were fired at the tree. After that, the area around the tree was covered in smoke.
...
Anastasia, Jeremy, and Marriane were standing not too far from the tree. Based on their observations, they were in a place where only a faint aura of the tree could be felt
.As they fired the poisoned bomb at the tree. While, waiting for results, they were crossing there fingers, praying that it could melt the branches of the tree.
However as the smoke lifted, there hopes soon shattered.
There wasn't even a single scratch on the tree.Soon, they saw a movement near the tree. Before they could organize their thoughts, the branches rushed toward them, but then, suddenly, they stopped.
It was as though, that, they want to lure them inside.Just when they felt relief that the branches weren't coming anymore, suddenly something wrapped itself around Jeremy's legs and began pulling him.
As Marriane and Anastasia saw it, a shout escaped their mouth in unsion.
It was a moment of pure terror. Their friend had just been dragged away by a monster, a tree..., and a wave of panic surged through them. They had to hurry, their hearts racing, fear gripping their every step.In that moment, they forgot everything—the plan they were meant to follow, everything and without a second thought, they ran toward Jeremy, driven only by the need to save him.
As they neared Jeremy, his voice rang out in a desperate shout. "No, you fools! Don't come here!" His words were filled with fear, a desperate plea to keep them away from whatever danger lay ahead.
But it was too late. In an instant, a branch shot toward them, its movement swift and merciless. When it slammed into Anastasia with overwhelming force, she was thrown through the air, pain and shock flooding her senses. Fear gripped her heart as she crashed, knowing they were running out of time.
When she looked up, her heart sank. Jeremy lay far from them, unmoving, and Marriane was badly hurt, her pain evident. Anastasia, too, felt the searing ache in her body, but it was nothing compared to the terror gnawing at her soul. Desperation flooded her as she screamed at herself in anguish, 'No... no, no! I'm still weak—far too weak! I can't save them... I have to do something... think!
Then, her eyes caught the sight of blood—Marriane was bleeding. A wave of panic and helplessness surged through her. 'No... Marriane!' she cried out, her voice trembling with fear and sorrow.
A branch of that damn lurched toward the bleeding Marriane, its menace clear.
Anastasia's heart raced, and without thinking, she screamed, 'No!' In a flash, her scarlet flames erupted around her, blazing with the intensity of her desperation. The flames, which had always felt like a curse, now became her salvation—her only hope. She had no time to think; all that mattered was saving Marianne.Anastasia's flames surged toward where the tree had once stood, a torrent of scarlet power racing ahead. Before the branches could reach Marriane, her flames engulfed the tree. It burned fiercely, the scarlet flames consuming it.
Marriane and Jeremy stared at the scene, stunned and uncertain of what had just happened, their minds struggling to process the sudden chaos.
After everything, Anastasia stood frozen, the weight of her actions sinking in. She had used the scarlet flames, the very power everyone in the empire believed to be a curse—including herself. But now, a horrifying thought crept into her mind: What if Jeremy and Marriane saw her the same way? What if they, too, came to fear her power? Could she bear their hatred?
Then, a groan broke the silence. Anastasia stood, hesitating for a moment before approaching them. Her heart thudded in her chest, but she forced herself to face them. As she neared, she saw the extent of their injuries—Marriane was bleeding heavily, while Jeremy was only slightly hurt. Despite the overwhelming fear and uncertainty that gripped her, she stood before them, her body still and her heart racing.
Jeremy, with a faint smile despite his pain, looked at her and asked, "You okay, Anastasia?'"
Marriane let out a small laugh, the sound filled with both lightness and pain. "But I'm not okay," she said, her smile tinged with exhaustion but still warm.
Jeremy, wincing slightly but still managing a grin, said, "Well, we still seem to be alive." His words carried a mix of humor and exhaustion, as if trying to make light of the situation, though it was clear how much they had all been through.
Anastasia looked at them and said "yeah we are alive, just barely though".
Anastasia felt a whirlwind of emotions as she stood there, her heart heavy yet strangely relieved. They didn't question her flames, nor did they treat her any differently.
As they were talking, a sudden flash of light caught their attention. From the position of the burned tree, a swirling whirlpool of light appeared, its radiance captivating and strange. They all turned toward it, a mix of awe and confusion in their eyes, unsure of what this new phenomenon meant.
Jeremy and Anastasia, sensing Marriane's unsteady steps, quickly caught her, their hands steadying her. Without a word, they all walked together toward the shimmering light.
"What could it be" marriane said while looking at the light that seem like a portal.
"Portal?" jeremy added, Anastasia nodded in agreement,"Probably it's seems to be our only clue, should we go inside?" she asked.
Jeremy and Marriane not quite sure what to do agreed nevertheless.